The answer is to add a default route (0.0.0.0/0) in the VPC route table pointing to the Internet Gateway, along with a specific route for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway. This dual configuration ensures that traffic from your on-premises network to the VPC uses the Direct Connect path via the private VIF, while any internet-bound traffic from the VPC is directed out through the Internet Gateway. The key technical concept is route specificity: the more specific on-premises route overrides the default for that traffic, while the default route handles all other destinations. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine a Direct Connect route table and internet gateway configuration without creating asymmetric routing—a common trap where engineers mistakenly add a default route to the Direct Connect side. Remember the memory tip: “Specific on-prem, default to the web”—the on-premises CIDR gets the Direct Connect path, and everything else goes to the internet.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company has a Direct Connect connection with a private VIF to a VPC. The network engineer needs to ensure that traffic from the on-premises network to the VPC uses the Direct Connect path, while internet-bound traffic from the VPC uses an Internet Gateway. Which TWO configurations are required? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway (VGW)
Options A and C are correct. A: The VPC route table must have a route to the on-premises CIDR via the virtual private gateway. C: The VPC route table must have a default route (0.0.0.0/0) to the Internet Gateway. Option B is wrong because the VPC does not need a route to the Direct Connect location. Option D is wrong because the on-premises router should not have a default route to the VPC. Option E is wrong because the VPC does not need a NAT gateway for internet access if using an Internet Gateway.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Add a route in the VPC route table for the Direct Connect location prefix
Why it's wrong here
Not necessary; the VGW handles the connection.
✗
Deploy a NAT Gateway in the VPC for internet access
Why it's wrong here
NATGateway is for private subnets; not required here.
✗
Configure the on-premises router to send all internet traffic to the VPC
Why it's wrong here
Internet traffic from on-premises should not go to VPC.
✓
Add a route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway (VGW)
Why this is correct
Directs traffic from VPC to on-premises via Direct Connect.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a route in the VPC route table for the on-premises CIDR pointing to the virtual private gateway (VGW) — Options A and C are correct. A: The VPC route table must have a route to the on-premises CIDR via the virtual private gateway. C: The VPC route table must have a default route (0.0.0.0/0) to the Internet Gateway. Option B is wrong because the VPC does not need a route to the Direct Connect location. Option D is wrong because the on-premises router should not have a default route to the VPC. Option E is wrong because the VPC does not need a NAT gateway for internet access if using an Internet Gateway.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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